It has long been rumored that Apple's first foldable iPhone uses an OLED panel from Samsung Display. Now, for the first time, Apple has officially discussed the South Korean firm's involvement in the iPhone Duo's folding screen.
During an interview with YouTuber MrMobile (Michael Fisher), Rich Dinh (Apple's VP of Hardware Engineering) and JP Guillou (Senior Director of Display Technology) detailed how much of the iPhone Duo's foldable display is designed by Apple versus purchased directly from Samsung.
iPhone Duo doesn't use off-the-shelf OLED panel from Samsung Display
Dinh explained that Apple always starts with its own internal design goals and desired end-user experience before taking those requirements to manufacturing partners like Samsung. Even though the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and the iPhone Duo have similarly-sized foldable screens, their panels are not exactly the same.
Guillou explicitly noted that the iPhone Duo does not use a pre-built, off-the-shelf OLED panel from Samsung Display. Instead, it is a custom part built from the ground up to meet Apple's exact specifications, as standard OLED panels from vendors don't meet the company's strict requirements. Some reports claim that Apple has a three-year exclusive deal for iPhone Duo's foldable screen from Samsung Display.
The executives also discussed the iPhone Duo's durability (IP68 certification for dust and water resistance) and the decision to use an under-display camera (UDC) on the folding screen. Apple wanted to offer an expansive, uninterrupted view of the inner display, even if it meant sacrificing some camera quality.
While Samsung has utilized UDC cameras on previous Galaxy Z Fold phones, it hasn't yet managed to achieve an IP68 rating for foldables. Furthermore, while the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8 lacks Flex Mode, a feature reserved for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, the iPhone Duo offers similar functionality.
The iPhone Duo uses a more aggressive matte finish on its foldable screen compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 8, a design choice it has made to make the crease look less visible. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is substantially lighter and thinner, though. Samsung's foldable is also a lot cheaper, including when it comes to repairs.
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